El fútbol más allá del cielo – Soccer beyond the sky

Editor’s Note. What follows is the story of how soccer inspired Silvia C Rodriguez, a Chihuahua, México transplant to Columbus and author of bilingual Children’s Books, to write a book about the World Cup. It is presented first in Spanish and then in English.

Six years ago, when we moved to Ohio, the first thing my husband said was “The city has a professional soccer team! I want to go to all the games!

In a short time, this popular sport has become a part of our everyday life and I’ll explain why:

Since the very first day that Columbus gave us the warm welcome, we have been fans of the Columbus Crew. Before the move here, we watched soccer games on TV, but now with the possibility of witnessing a game live, it has increased our interest, since it is a different experience. It was only a matter of attending one game for my husband to buy season tickets.

Every time that I have the chance to attend a Columbus Crew game, I like to observe every single detail of what happens. Maybe it’s a characteristic of writers like myself, or maybe other people have the same appreciation? Either way, I’ll share with you all my perception.

Our experience of living every encounter of soccer start hours before, even while we’re home. To give some examples: we make sure that our favorite jersey is clean, we also check the weather forecast, not to decide if we’re going to go to the game or not, but to see if we need to take warm hats and scarves: the weather inclements don’t stop us from going to support our team. In addition, we form a plan with our neighbors to see who wants to drive. Sharing the trip with friends not only makes it more practical and economic, but it’s also more fun that way. We prepare some snacks to share in the stadium parking lot, without eliminating the possibility that some stranger would offer us a hamburger. For as strange as it seems, it’s something that has already happened to us. The very moment we set foot on the stadium grounds, the atmosphere changes. You can receive a drink or food from a “stranger,” although it would be better for me to refer to that “stranger” as someone that shares the same passion. Meeting new friends, forgetting problems, or even discovering some “superhero” is something that I can’t throw away.

Just like every sports venue, a team of security guards stands at the entrance. I like to think that it is a welcome committee, since before the usual security check it’s very probable that you’ll receive a cordial greeting along with a smile from the guards.

After I get my ticket scanned at the entrance, sometimes I have seen in the grass areas of the stadium groups of kids playing soccer. For some, they could be just some little kids getting some energy out, but for me, they’re future soccer players with dreams of someday being a star on their team.

On the way to the stands, you can’t forget the obligatory stop at the drink stand. Sat down in my own seat, is where most of the excitement begins. The experience ranges from paying respect for the patriotic symbols, to seeing the game up close and live in which you feel and express distinct emotions: happiness, satisfaction, joy, sadness, anguish, nervousness, among other things. All of them shared in a family atmosphere.

If there is someone that has not had the opportunity to attend a Columbus Crew match, I invite them to do so. It is a marvelous experience. I assure you that La Turbina Amarilla, with their fans and chants, will take charge of keeping the energy alive. Even better yet, if the ball comes to cross the goal line in the other team’s net, everyone will vibrate with the unanimous shout of “GOOOOAAAL!”

It’s nothing new to say that over the past several decades soccer has become one of the most followed and loved sports around the world. Maybe it is the fastest growing sport in the United States.

It seems to me that every player has the responsibility to be a role model. Leading by example, they promote different values within the younger generations. To name a few: discipline, respect, dedication, and sportsmanship.

For our community, soccer is part of the culture. It is the sport responsible for awakening all kinds of passions, stimulating coexistence and distraction, while for the owner, it could only mean business. For that reason alone, it gives me an enormous amount of grief to know that we are being stripped of our beloved Columbus Crew.